New payload brings jamming capability to an Army UAS for the first time

Raytheon delivers electronic attack payloads for Gray Eagle UAS

By Defense Systems Staff

May 14, 2013

Raytheon has delivered two electronic attack payloads for use on the Army's MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system, which will mark the first time the Army will have jamming capability on a UAS.

The payload was developed in support of the Army's Networked Electronic Warfare, Remotely Operated (NERO) system, and delivered as part of a contract awarded by Navy NAVSEA-Crane in 2012. NERO is utilized on the Gray Eagle as an airborne electronic attack system capable of providing beyond-line-of-sight jamming capability to support ground troop operations.

The NERO system builds on the Army's Communications Electronic Attack with Surveillance and Reconnaissance (CEASAR) program. By migrating the same pod system and advanced capability to the Gray Eagle, NERO is capable of two- to three-times longer missions with reduced operating costs compared to it’s current application on a manned twin-engine Beechcraft King Air C-12 aircraft, according to Raytheon. CEASAR was first awarded in 2010.